Search Firms
SEARCH FIRMS By Martin J. Greenberg I. INTRODUCTION When a university looks to fill a vacancy within their athletic department, the process for doing so is sophisticated. Whether a search firm is hired, or an athletic director is conducting the search, the qualifications that are sought in a Head Coach are extensive. These qualifications and factors include, but are not limited to: experience (game strategy), pedigree (prior experience), whether the coach is a position coach or a coordinator, whether the coach understands the game, academic progress achievement, education (advanced degree), personality characteristics, communication and media skills, fundraising capabilities, connections in the industry, networking, recruiting capabilities, compliance (administrative skills), head coaching experience, conflict resolution, reputation, search agencies (advocacy), family name (example: Pitino, Holtz), agent of coach, playing career, work ethic, ability to integrate into college life, public credibility, and whether a coach is known within the industry (peer ratings), to name a few. In a recent athletic director search conducted for the University of South Florida, Eastman & Beaudine, Inc. asked the following questions of candidates that are reflective and indicative of the broad experiences and successes that search firms are looking for in their future potential hires: 1. What is the Budget for your Athletics department? The number of Men’s and Women’s sports? How many student athletes in your program? 2. How large is your current staff? How many of the staff have you hired/let go? Describe your style in managing a broad range of coaches and staff and how you interact with the President of the University, the Board, faculty and various committees? 3.
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